M.Arch Syllabus & Subjects List 2025: Download Semester-wise Syllabus PDF

Updated on Mar 1, 2023 01:58 IST

Master of Architecture or popularly known as M.Arch is a two-year postgraduate course in Architecture. It is a specialised course of study which is pursued after completion of a B.Arch or Bachelor of Architecture. Architecture is a special branch of study which deals with the techniques of designing and constructing various structures. It is different from construction, as it encompasses all the steps of building a structure such as drawing, planning, designing and constructing structures. It is not a new discipline, with early humans engaging in architecture since pre-historic times.

The science of architecture has developed over the period of time, with the introduction of modern practices and techniques of architecture. It deals with the durability and utility of a building, its aesthetic value and an artistic dimension to it which makes it appealing. This has been reflected in the Indian Architecture of Temples and Egyptian Architecture of Pyramids.

Architecture is one of the most sought-after courses in Indian institutes, with popular courses such as B.Arch and M.Arch offered by top colleges. Students can work as Project Managers, Designers,Planners or Lead Architect for various private and governmental organisations. Therefore, M.Arch is a great career option for professionals who wish to carve a niche for themselves.

Read More: M.Arch Overview

Core Subjects

The various core subjects offered in the two-year M.Arch programme are as follows:

Semester 1

Subject

Details

Urban Design

Candidates learn planning studies for urban designing by observing urban environments and providing urban housing, renewal and regeneration.

Large Span Structures for Architectural Application

It deals with the designing of space frames, structural systems, braced folded structures, tensile structures and space structures with changing geometries.

Legal Framework for Urban Infrastructure Project

The objective of this course is to introduce candidates to the legal framework and standards such as the National Building Code of India 2016 and regulations provided by national and international agencies. It also deals with the legal principles guiding large-scale development and sports facilities.

Advanced Computer Studio

Candidates are introduced to the REVIT software popularly used for architectural design and structural design and successfully converting 2-D designs into 3-D designs.

Semester 2

Subject

Details

Structures and Services in High-Rise Buildings

The course introduces a separate typology in architecture- tall buildings, their construction, installation of firefighting systems and their impact on the environment and urban setting.

Contemporary Process in Architecture

It analyses the concepts such as fractals, Multi-source synthesis, key-shape animation, Cellular Automata, digital architecture and case studies on world-renowned architects.

Urban Infrastructure Projects

The course deals with designing urban infrastructure projects such as SEZs, transport connectivity, growth of neighbourhood communities and integration of essential services with buildings.

Semester 3

Subject

Details

New Urbanism

The course familiarizes students with the concept of urban planning, new urbanism, rural-to-urban transformation and large-scale cluster development in agricultural lands.

Urban Landscape

Candidates learn about structures of open spaces, urban landscape design, maintenance of public spaces and designing of public parks, greenways and biological corridors.

Research Methodology in Architecture

It deals with the application of research methods in the formulation of the research question, hypothesis, data collection, analysis and inference. It also deals with methods of usage of computers in research and mathematical modelling and their limitations.

Performance Evaluation Tools for Sustainable Buildings

Learners acquire basic skills in building performance evaluation and modelling of passive systems and active systems. They are able to make a post-occupancy evaluations and advanced building simulations.

High-Rise Buildings

Candidates learn how to conceptualise ideas to design high-rise buildings and understand their planning concerns such as disaster and environmental risks.

Semester 4

Subject

Details

Thesis/Dissertation

Candidates have to submit a dissertation on any research topic towards successful completion of the course. They have to also appear for a viva-voce, justifying the skills learnt over the years.

Elective Courses

Subjects

Details

Sustainable Development

The course provides exposure to the traditional wisdom and passive techniques of creating a sustainable design. It also deals with the principles of sustainability, urban impact on the environment and planning aspects to minimise the environmental impact of buildings.

Green Building Strategies for Tall Buildings

An introductory course on green revolution in architecture, maintaining daylighting efficiency, recycling of resources, info-modelling and construction of buildings using smart technologies.

Disaster Management

Learners understand the concept of disasters, the disaster management cycle, principles of elementary seismology and seismic design. The most important learning outcome is related to earthquake-resistant designs.

Environmental Strategies

The course deals with the strategies for environmental protection, environmental economics, Environmental Impact Assessment cycle and Environmental Auditing.

New Age Materials and Construction

Candidates are exposed to new varieties of construction materials and curtain walls, ensuring material efficiency and efficient construction techniques.

Façade Technologies for Buildings

 

The course introduces the application of a façade systems by implementing glass, glazing and their structural integrity. It also deals with the advanced façade and their building performance.

Books and Authors for M.Arch

The popular books and authors prescribed for M.Arch course are as follows:

Book

Author

Description

Urban Design Toolkit

Ministry of the Environment

This toolkit has been developed by the Ministry of Environment and provides the tools for community participation, raising awareness, implementation, planning and design and research and analysis.

Building Structures

Malcolm Millais

A celebrated work on the history of building structures and how these concepts are applied to simple building plans. The author explains how to do calculations for structures and how to design a structural design project.

REVIT Handbook: A Guide to Building Information Modelling for Owners, Engineers

C Eastman, R Sacks, K Liston

A treatise on Building Information Modelling, which provides information on the methods to design and construct a building using a  digital format. It helps in making a design plan more customer-friendly and enhances it from two-dimensional to three-dimensional graphics.

The Guide Book of Sustainable Design

Sandra Mendler, William Odell

The authors have compiled case studies on the world’s famous architects, planners and designers, their design strategies and sustainable architecture methods. The guide also provides methods to increase customer satisfaction and material selection for resource conservation.

Skyscrapers-Structure and Design

Wells Mathew

The author explains the engineering and desig behind tall buildings and skyscrapers of the world. He explains how these buildings are designed to withstand earthquake or wind or fire hazards and analyses the tall buildings of the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on M.Arch Syllabus

Q. Why is M.Arch popular course?

A. After the engineering discipline, architecture is a popular choice amongst students who have pursued PCM in Class 12th. The entrance exams are as competitive as that of engineering and candidates have to possess extra skills, designing and drawing. They must be quick and must have the ability to conceive ideas and bring to fruition. With diverse career options to offer, M.Arch is therefore a popular course. 

Q. What is the course curriculum for M.Arch?

A. M.Arch is a four-semester course consisting of core and elective subjects. Candidates have to meet the minimum credit requirement as well as submit term-end assignments. They have to appear for the term-end exam and submit a dissertation for successful completion of the course. 

Q. What are the common entrance exams for M.Arch?

A. Candidates must clear some of the following national-level entrance exams to secure admission to M.Arch courses:
  • NATA
  • JEE Mains
  • UCEED
  • MAH M.Arch Test

Q. What are the popular colleges offering M.Arch?

A. Some of the popular colleges offering an M.Arch and good placement opportunities are as follows:
  • Amity University
  • Sharda University
  • Jamia Millia Islamia
  • School of Planning and Architecture Bhopal
  • NMIMS

Q. Is distance programme in M.Arch course valid?

A. Architecture courses aren't provided in distance mode as architecture and engineering courses require practical lessons. According to the regulations of AICTE and UGC, these courses should be provided in full-time mode only. 

Q. What are the specialisations offered in M.Arch?

A. The specialisations offered in M.Arch are as follows:
  • Urban Planning
  • Urban Design
  • Sustainable Design

Q. What is the fee structure for M.Arch?

A. The fee structure for pursuing M.Arch ranges from INR 1-5 lakh per annum. Private colleges charge higher range of fees in the range of INR 2-6 lakhs per annum. 

Q. What are the various core subjects offered under M.Arch?

A. The core subjects are compulsory subjects which have to completed by a candidate. They are as follows:
  • High Rise Buildings
  • Research Methodology in Architecture
  • Urban Design
  • New Urbanism
  • Legal Framework for Urban Infrastructure Project
  • Structures and Services in High Rise Buildings
  • Urban Infrastructure Projects

Q. What are the various elective subjects offered under M.Arch?

A. The important elective subjects which are offered under M.Arch are spread across four semesters. They are as follows:
  • Façade Technologies for Buildings
  • Green Building Strategies for Tall Buildings
  • Sustainable Development
  • New Age Materials and Construction
  • Disaster Management
  • Environmental Strategies

Q. What is the application of an M.Arch course?

A. Candidates after pursuing M.Arch have a wide range of opportunities in the domain of teaching, research, designing and consulting. M.Arch allows professionals to gain expertise in specialised areas such as Green buildings, sustainable structures and disaster-prone structures. 

Q. What is the eligibility for pursuing M.Arch?

A. Candidates who have completed B.Arch from a recognised university with at least 50% score are eligible to pursue M.Arch. They must also pass any national-level entrance exam with a good score to be called for an interview. The merit list is prepared on the basis of marks scored in the entrance and interview and admissions are made on the basis of the cutoff. 
Table of content
  • Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India
  • Popular Private M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India
  • Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Specializations
  • Most Popular Courses

Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India

Following are the most popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India. Learn more about these M.Arch (Master of Architecture) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.
4 Courses
1.8 L
8 LPA
20 K
11 LPA
6 Courses
9.39 L
7.5 LPA
2.28 L
3 Courses
2.2 L
7.4 LPA
1 Course
14 LPA

Popular Private M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Colleges in India

1 Course
2.62 L
1 Course
2.5 L
3.48 L
7.5 LPA
3.2 L
1 Course
50 K
1 Course

Popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Specializations

Following are the most popular M.Arch (Master of Architecture) Specializations . You can explore the top Colleges offering these Specializations by clicking the links below.

Popular Specializations

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Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered a month ago

Usually, only candidates with a B.Arch degree are eligible because the Bachelors courses in Architecture builds on architectural foundations. However, some universities offer bridge programs or specialised design courses for students from related fields like civil engineering or interior design but

...Read more

A

Aashi Rai

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

After completing your M.Arch, you can work in the following sectors:

  • Architectural firms in design & construction
  • Urban planning departments
  • Interior design companies
  • Real estate development
  • Academic and research institutions
  • Government projects (public infrastructure, conservation)

Some of the Popular rol

...Read more

K

Kritika Tyagi

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

Some of the common entrance exams for admission into M.Arch course are the below mentioned exams:

  • NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) – This is for undergraduate and some postgraduate courses
  • GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) – This Exam is used by top institutes for M.Arch admiss

...Read more

S

Shruti Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered a month ago

To excel in the field of architecture, you basically need the following skills that are also suggested by the leading professionals in the field:

  • Strong design and visualization ability
  • Creativity and problem-solving
  • Knowledge of building materials and structures
  • Good communication and teamwork skills
  • Un

...Read more

H

Himanshi Bisht

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

M.Arch is not just about design, it is about solving real world problems creatively. You will need both technical and soft skills to excel in this field:

Below mentioned is the list of technical skills that you need to learn:

  • AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp
  • Rhino + Grasshopper (parametric design)
  • GIS and BIM t

...Read more

S

Shruti Shukla

Contributor-Level 7

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates can expect the following topics to be covered under the M.Arch course at RVCA:-

  • Multidimensional aspects of uranism
  • Critique and design of urban environs
  • Theory of Urban form
  • City planning progress in India, etc. 

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

No, candidates cannot complete M.Arch at RV College of Architecture in one year. The duration of this course is two years and admissions are entrance-based. Candidates must appear for the PGETA/GATE exam to take admission in the course at RVCA. Additionally, they must also ensure fulfilling the elig

...Read more

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The fees of studying M.Arch course at RV College of Architecture is INR 1.4 lakh. This is the total tuition fees and overall fee may include other components such as security deposits, exam fees, hostel and mess fees if applicable, etc. Candidates must pay the tuition fees to confirm their seat in t

...Read more

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates are selected for MArch course at RV College of Architecture, on the basis of their scores in PGETA/GATE exams. Candidates must appear in either of these exams and achieve the required aggregate to take admission in MArch course at RV College of Architecture. Additionally, they must also a

...Read more

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates are selected for MArch course at B.S. Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology on the basis of merit of graduation. They must pass BArch with a minimum 50% aggregate from a recognised institute/university. This is also the eligibility criteria for MArch course at the inst

...Read more

S

Sejal Baveja

Contributor-Level 10

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